Chestnut Hill
Neighborhood in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County 17603
Three-story Victorian- and Colonial-inspired townhomes
In Chestnut Hill, neighbors relax on the front porches of early 20th-century townhouses. Bay windows and dormer windows peer out over the narrow, gridded streets, with Colonial Revival and Italianate stylings framing the brick exteriors. In front of the rows of attached and semi-attached homes, maples and elms stand proud. “It feels like a scene out of a movie,” Miller says of the neighborhood’s tree-lined streets. “People put a lot of effort into preserving the old facades and historic homes. You won’t find many big backyards, but there are dozens of gorgeous Victorian houses.” This is a particularly sought-after side of the city, and although some townhouses in need of repairs can list at $150,000, recent renovations and other perks, such as included parking, can push prices upwards of $700,000. Detached homes are particularly desirable, pushing prices to $1 million. Multifamily properties typically sell between $200,000 and $650,000.
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Trendy restaurants such as Luca and Cabalar
Chestnut Hill’s restaurant scene rose to national attention in 2016 with the opening of Luca, which received rave reviews from Food Network star Alton Brown and food writers for the New York Times. The trendy, rustic restaurant takes inspiration from the traditions of central Italy with its wood-burning oven, plus a lengthy wine list paired with handmade pasta. Although Luca might be one of the neighborhood’s best-known restaurants, it’s far from the only one — bars and eateries pop up left and right while wandering the streets, from longstanding institutions like Rachel’s Creperie and Café to relative newcomers on the scene such as Calabar Meat Co. “Cabalar has the absolute best burgers ever, and they’re also a butchery,” Miller says, noting that the restaurant also sells cuts of its locally sourced meat. She also recommends Splits & Giggles for after-dinner ice cream and Chestnut Hill Café for a cozy coffee and bagels.
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Groceries from Lancaster Central Market and Lemon Street Market
Proximity to Downtown Lancaster shopping is a major draw to Chestnut Hill. “There aren’t any big chain grocery stores in the city, but you can do a lot of your shopping at Lancaster Central Market,” Miller says. “On Saturdays, you’ll see people walking to the market with their produce baskets. I’d take my kids every week and let them pick out a treat.” Some residents pick up everyday goods at the neighborhood’s local grocer, Lemon Street Market. “This area is an agricultural mecca,” says Jax Lanza, who works at the market. “There are lots of farm-to-table restaurants, and our market carries tons of organic, gluten-free and vegan items. I see lots of regulars who live in the neighborhood and come here every day, so it really does feel like a small, tight-knit community.” Bookstores, pharmacies and record stores are also dotted across the neighborhood, wedged between houses in unassuming but quaint brick storefronts.
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Local schools and top-ranked Lancaster Country Day School
Homes in Chestnut Hill are zoned to the School District of Lancaster. Students on the northern end of the neighborhood attend Thomas Wharton Elementary, graded a C-plus by Niche. To the south, students attend Fulton Elementary, which scores a C. Both schools feed into the C-rated Reynolds Middle, which is centrally located in the community. About a mile east is McCaskey High, which receives a B-minus. The high school is split between two campuses: the main building, J.P. McCaskey (often shortened to J.P.), and McCaskey East. It also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma. An option for private education in the area includes Lancaster Country Day School, which Niche grades an A-plus and ranks as the best private K-12 school in Lancaster.To the west, the neighborhood borders the campus of Franklin & Marshall College, a private liberal arts school. Founded in 1787, F&M is one of the oldest still-operating colleges in the U.S. and is known for sorting undergraduate students into Hogwarts-style houses that engage in both academic and social activities.
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High foot traffic and Amtrak commutes to Philly
Walkability is king in Chestnut Hill, as most of the neighborhood is less than a mile from Downtown Lancaster and its attractions. Lancaster General Hospital is also roughly a mile away, directly down James Street. “That’s the street where you want to have a heart attack,” Miller says. “A lot of doctors live around there because of the hospital’s Home in the City program, which helps them with the down payment on houses nearby.” Red Rose Transit Authority buses stop throughout the neighborhood, enabling some residents to get around without a car. Those with longer commutes can head a couple of miles north to hop on U.S. Route 30, where big-box stores and shopping centers cluster along the highway. Philadelphia is about 80 miles east, and some commuters catch Amtrak trains from Lancaster Station, which also provides service to Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and New York City.
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Festivals and fresh air at Buchanan Park
Buchanan Park flanks Chestnut Hill to the west, covering grassy hillsides dotted by towering oaks. A statue of President James Buchanan is located in the park, surrounded by flowering bushes and a bench where passersby can stop to admire the well-kept landscaping. The community frequently gathers here for events, including the highly anticipated MusicFest in the fall and traveling Lancaster Beer Gardens in the summer. Although the park is home to basketball courts, tennis courts and sporting fields, its most popular amenity is Beau’s Dream Dog Park. Lancaster resident Angela came up with the concept for the park on behalf of her pup, Beau, and was voted the winner of Beneful’s Dream Dog Park Contest in 2012. The $500,000 dog park now features puppy splash pads and water fountains, plus separate play areas for small and large dogs. Also bordering the park is the North Museum of Nature and Science, a popular field trip destination for its paleontology gallery and planetarium. Mayor Janice C. Stork Corridor Park is also just north of the neighborhood, with playgrounds and tree-lined walking paths weaving between residential buildings and commercial spaces.
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Shows at Fulton Theater and games at Clipper Magazine Stadium
Clipper Magazine Stadium is just north of the neighborhood and is home to the Lancaster Stormers, who play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In the offseason, the stadium hosts holiday celebrations and events such as a drive-through holiday lights show. To the east, the neighborhood borders Gallery Row on North Prince Street, the center of the city’s art scene that spans theaters, galleries and art schools. Fulton Theater is the area’s foremost landmark, considered to be the oldest operating theater in the nation. Today, the “Grand Old Lady of Prince Street” brings locally produced shows and youth theater camps to the community.
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Written By
Elliot Schorr
Photography Contributed By
Justin Schmidt
Video By
Emily McNamara
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Kim Sutter Eckels
Kim Sutter Eckels
Keller Williams Elite
(223) 216-7848
98 Total Sales
1 in Chestnut Hill
$494,900 Price
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John Stauffer
John Stauffer
RE/MAX Evolved
(223) 216-2104
115 Total Sales
3 in Chestnut Hill
$310K - $375K Price Range
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Catesby Gilbert
Catesby Gilbert
Mountain Realty ERA Powered
(717) 696-6646
34 Total Sales
4 in Chestnut Hill
$190K - $325K Price Range
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Jason Burkholder
Jason Burkholder
Hometown Property Sales
(223) 217-5657
166 Total Sales
2 in Chestnut Hill
$240K - $270K Price Range
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Adrian Young
Adrian Young
Keller Williams Keystone Realty
(223) 217-8660
182 Total Sales
1 in Chestnut Hill
$411,000 Price
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Justine Dennis McPhee
Justine Dennis McPhee
Keller Williams Elite
(223) 216-5301
134 Total Sales
6 in Chestnut Hill
$222K - $473K Price Range
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 8th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Northwest Corridor Park
Binns Park
- Picnic Area
Mayor Janice C. Stork Corridor Park
Buchanan Park
- Basketball
- Dog Park
- Playground
Mayor Janice C Stork Corridor Park
Crystal Park
Creativity Park
- Picnic Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Chestnut Hill | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Chestnut Hill Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Chestnut Hill, Lancaster sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Chestnut Hill, Lancaster over the last 12 months is $320,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$325,000
Median Sale Price
$320,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$325,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$255,950
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
79
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-4%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$200
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,712
Number of Homes for Sale
11
Median Year Built
1900
Months of Supply
1.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,711
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,285
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,300
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742
Open Houses
-
Sunday, Jun 221 - 3pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
6,354
Median Age
35
Population Density
30 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.1%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$64,157
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,354
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.5%
College Graduates
47.2%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.4%
% Population in Labor Force
76.6%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
14''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
78
/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
94
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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Reviews
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